For immediate release | May 14, 2026
ALA’s EMIERT Announces María Emerson as Winner of the 2026 David Cohen Multicultural Award; Opens Nominations for 2028 Cycle
CHICAGO — The Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) of the American Library Association (ALA) is proud to announce María Emerson, assistant professor and student success librarian at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, as the recipient of the 2026 David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award.
Emerson is recognized for her insightful and timely article, "'But where are you really from?': Multiracial Students, Sense of Belonging, and Academic Libraries." Her research explores the unique challenges faced by multiracial students and how academic libraries can better foster a sense of belonging for this population.
The David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award is a biennial honor recognizing recent research that advances the understanding and promotion of multiculturalism in North American libraries.
"I am honored to receive the David Cohen/EMIERT Multicultural Award," said Emerson. "As a multiracial person, my experiences navigating my own identity and others' perceptions of it inspired my research. This award recognizes the importance of this work and encourages me to continue increasing the visibility of multiracial students while contributing to more nuanced understandings of race and belonging."
Richard Ashby, Chair of EMIERT, praised the impact of Emerson’s findings and said, "María’s work exemplifies the very mission of EMIERT—advancing equity, deepening cultural understanding, and amplifying voices that have too often been overlooked. Her contributions push our profession forward and remind us of the critical role libraries play in fostering inclusive and informed communities."
The award, which includes a certificate and a $500 prize, will be formally presented on June 26, 2027, during the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago.
About the American Library Association
The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.
Contact:
Aubrey Huff
Assistant Director, Literacy & Continuing Education
Office for Diversity, Literacy and Outreach Services (ODLOS)
ahuff@ala.org
